On checking the bilges we had made quite a bit of water during our journey so I again pumped the bilges and dreamt of unscheduled dry dockings to find the leak.
The problem dated from Compiegne when I had fitted a tee piece into the overboard discharge pipe of the exhaust water injection supply. This pipe had been fitted originally to provide a visual indication that a water supply was present. I connected the bilge pump discharge pipe to the tee piece and in order to prevent water returning to the bilge when the main engine was running I fitted a non-return valve in the line. I now disconnected the pipe between the non-return valve and the bilge pump, started the main engine and guess what??
The non-return valve was allowing water to pass. So every day when we were cruising we were filling the ships bilges! Relief was my main reaction to this discovery as we were not slowly sinking after all!
A memorial records the loss of life of nearly soldiers who perished and have no known grave. We cycled up a long hill to the village of Jourre where there is a 7th century crypt but, that apart, was singularly uninspiring, then a long walk in search of a foot pump which was unsuccessful for the umpteenth time.
I don't think anyone sells them in France! Continuing on up the river we arrived at Chateau-Thierry to grab the last berth on the quay. Dry bilges confirmed the solution of disconnecting the bilge pump discharge a success after a full days cruising. I will fit an isolating valve to the line in due course. Chateau-Thierry was the location of the first American offensive in and a very large memorial sits on the top of hill This place is one of the most cherished battle honours of the Marines of the 2nd and 3rd divisions who took part in fierce fighting and committed themselves well but with great loss of life.
